Lithium is an essential component in the manufacturing of batteries used in electric vehicles, smartphones, and other consumer electronics. The demand for lithium is expected to continue to rise as electric vehicles become more mainstream. This article provides an overview of lithium production by country.

Top Lithium Producing Countries:

1. Australia - In 2021, Australia was the largest producer of lithium, accounting for approximately 60% of global production. Australia is home to several lithium mines, including Greenbushes, which is one of the largest lithium mines in the world.

2. Chile - Chile is the second-largest producer of lithium, accounting for approximately 20% of global production. The Salar de Atacama is the largest salt flat in Chile and is home to some of the world's largest lithium reserves.

3. Argentina - Argentina is the third-largest producer of lithium, accounting for approximately 10% of global production. The country is home to the Salinas Grandes salt flat, which is one of the largest lithium reserves in the world.

4. China - China is the fourth-largest producer of lithium, accounting for approximately 8% of global production. The country is home to several lithium mines, including the Greenbushes mine in Western Australia, which is jointly owned by Chinese company Tianqi Lithium. 

5. Canada - Canada is the fifth-largest producer of lithium, accounting for approximately 2% of global production. The country is home to various Lithium Project in northwestern Ontario, which is a promising source of lithium.

Other Lithium Producing Countries:

Other countries that produce lithium include the United States, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Portugal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The United States is home to the only operating lithium mine in the country, the Silver Peak mine in Nevada.

Lithium production is dominated by Australia, Chile, and Argentina, which together account for approximately 90% of global production. However, other countries are also beginning to explore lithium mining as the demand for the metal continues to grow.